Finance guides

Plain-language explanations of what the calculators work out: how loans are amortized, what the total effective cost includes, how late fees and interest add up, and how to weigh a renegotiation or an investment against a debt.

PRICE or SAC: how each system works and which to choose

Learn the difference between the PRICE and SAC tables, see an example with real numbers and what matters when choosing between fixed and decreasing installments.

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Nominal and effective rates: why 1% a month is not 12% a year

Learn to convert monthly and annual rates, understand the difference between nominal and effective rates and avoid comparing interest that looks equal and costs differently.

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CET: what the total effective cost is and how to compare offers

Learn what goes into the total effective cost (CET), why it is higher than the advertised interest rate and how to use it to compare loans and financing.

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Late payments: how penalties, late interest and indexation work

Understand what can be charged when an installment is late, see an example with numbers and learn how to check whether the penalty and interest charged are correct.

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How to assess a debt renegotiation offer

Learn how to find out how much you owe, measure the real discount of an offer, compare paying in full and in installments and protect yourself from scams when negotiating.

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Pay off the debt or invest? How to compare fairly

Compare the cost of a debt with the net return of an investment, understand the effect of income tax and IOF and learn when paying down debt pays off.

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Selic, CDI and IPCA: what they are and why they matter to you

Understand what the Selic rate, the CDI and the IPCA are, how they relate and how they affect loan interest, investments and overdue debts.

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